Oh boy, this is sure to ruffle some feathers.

It’s true, I don’t like lever actions. Yes, I’ve shot them and yes, I’ve sold hundreds of these things. To this day I still cannot understand why they still exist. Do these things do anything good?

Anyways, let’s go over some reasons why I hate these things:

1. Ammunition Picky

Most lever guns require flat-nosed bullets to prevent primer detonation in the mag tube. Some actions cannot reliably cycle spitzer or hollow point bullets. Other cartridges can have inconsistent feeding as a consequence of overall length, bullet shape, crimp. Compared to any other action they may be the most ammunition picky.

Of course, you could get a special detachable box magazine fed one like the Browning BLR… or you could just get a normal rifle that shoots a normal cartridge that already accepts a detachable box magazine.

2. Cartridge Selection Sucks

There are a ton of cartridges that are fired in lever actions, I am aware of this. But I am speaking generally here.

Yes 30-30 has taken a lot of deer. There are still superior cartridges fired from superior rifles that can also take deer.

Don’t even get me started on the handgun calibers. I am getting a gun that shoots handgun calibers, but I can’t keep it in a holster and certainly can’t carry it concealed.

3. Horrible Action

The lever action is the answer to one simple question; how can we make a manual action as awkward to use as possible. Seriously, was the pump just too straight forward? Does the bolt action just make things way too easy? Did they see a rolling block or Springfield Trapdoor and think, “I could make this way more complicated”.

The movement is just plain awkward, often pitching the muzzle around while you lose your master grip. Shooting in a tight space or from the prone, it only gets weirder. Smash your hand to find out you cannot make the full stroke and now roll the gun around making it even more awkward and fully taking your sights and muzzle off your target. Even the US Army noticed this which is why mass adoption of the lever never took place.

4. Overly Complex

Lever guns have lots of small parts, timing-sensitive components, and internal linkages that need tuning to run smoothly. Compared to the simplicity of bolt actions, pump actions, or ARs, the lever gun’s internals are relatively fragile and hard to maintain.

The mechanism itself is often a complex system of levers, cams and sprung parts. When one parts moves, all the parts must move, and in the correct order timed together. There is a lot of parts in there moving together and rubbing against each other. Once again generally speaking, repairing or replacing parts is not an easy endeavor.

Compared to other actions the lever is much more complex than a pump, a bolt, and even many semi-automatics. Once again, the US Army noticed this which is why mass adoption of the lever never took place.

5. Reloading Is Tedious

Once again I am aware of the existence of detachable box magazine fed lever rifles. While it is an upgrade to the lever action rifle, these are fairly unusual and ignored by both the masses and the traditionalist, It also doesn’t really change the fact that levers suck.

I have to load each cartridge individually through a port on the side or even more awkwardly I have to pull a plunger out of the front of the magazine tube and drop rounds in one at a time. This is tedious and clumsy.

Most guns use magazines and are faster. Those that don’t, they use stripper clips, speed loaders, moon clips, etc and those are all easier and faster. Shotguns use a similar system as the side loading levers I know, but the shells and the ports are larger making it easier, so much easier plenty of folks can load doubles and triples, some can even quad load. Also, arguably detachable box magazine shotguns are beginning to take over, if not they are still fairly common at least.

6. Capacity Sucks

C’mon admit it, you knew this one was coming especially after number 5. Once you finally get this ridiculous thing fully loaded, which takes longer than practically any other gun the capacity sucks.

A Marlin 336 holds 6 rounds of 30-30. You can readily get a hold of a 308 Win that holds as much as 20rds.

A 16” barreled lever in 357Mag will get you 7 rounds, so will several revolvers and those can be carried in holsters and reloaded faster. Oh, and those revolvers can also be had in double action so you don’t have to work the action yourself. Even a 1911 magazine can be had that holds more than 7rds of 45ACP.

7. The Magazine Tube Cannot Tolerate Damage

Another thing the US Army found out during testing. If that magazine tube breaks or gets a dent and your entire feeding system is dead and your gun is at best a single shot.

Tubular magazines are vulnerable to damage and not easily field-replaceable.

8. Screws Everywhere
Screws and guns usually don’t play well together. As this point, I think everyone knows, Loctite your screws. For extra security you can add witness marks. If your shots start going all over the place, check your screws as they are typically the culprit. Something flies off your gun it is typically because a screw came loose.

Lever actions are largely held together with screws. And typically, there are multiple different sized screw heads. I suppose they are just really committed to the overly complex schtick.

9. Their Purpose Has Been Replaced by Far Better

The lever-action’s original role (mid-range hunting, ranch defense, cavalry rifle) is now better served by ARs, bolt guns, or semi-auto shotguns. They’re still functional and nostalgic—but from a tactical or practical perspective, they’re outclassed.

10. Stupid Expensive

Lever guns tend to be more expensive than entry-level bolt-actions or ARs. Even a Marlin or Henry quickly gets to four digits. That’s a lot for what’s essentially a 19th-century manually operated design with a very niche application.